Calgary Self Catering Eco Charter
Green Tourism
To help improve the environmental performance of our business at Calgary, we have signed up to the green Tourism Business Scheme and Mull and Iona Eco Charter. Both these initiatives encourage focused monitoring and awareness of issues relating to our responsibilities to our environment.
The exposed beams and floors around the property have been gathered from reclamation yards or intriguingly from the shore. Many of the outside buildings are constructed from locally grown timber and some of the furniture also has a very local provenance, having been made here in the workshop, again from local timber. Along the way we have insulated and glazed to a level that meets or exceeds current building regulation .
All our appliances have been selected for their high energy efficiency ratings, and low energy light bulbs are standard throughout the premises.
Solar panels are installed on the roof of the laundry to assist in the heating of the water for the laundry, Cafe and apartments, and handy clothes lines ensure that the use of tumble dryers is kept to an absolute minimum.
Recycle, reduce and reuse
A designated recycling area can be found behind the apartments, we ask that during your stay you separate plastics, glass, paper and cans. Buying locally produced food for the Cafe also helps further reduce waste from packaging. We invite you to find out more about local producers.
A compost bin can be found next to the Ducks (please ask before feeding the ducks).
To further encourage the use of local produce, a small selection of local produce can be purchased at the tearoom. Fair trade products and Ecover are used at Calgary wherever possible and these are also available to buy at the Cafe.
Care for the natural environment
We are fortunate enough to be the custodians of a wonderful broad-leafed wood between us and the beach. We have introduced sculpture into the woodland and a network of interpretation boards and paths now lead you through the wood and down to the beach.
We have planted many thousands of natives trees and manage the established standing trees as best as possible. Three new ponds where added last winter and have already become an important new habitat with in our little wood.
Mull And Iona Eco Charter
Recognising that our lifestyle choices can make a positive difference to the wellbeing of others and to the local and wider environment, including the fragile eco-systems of Mull, Iona and our surrounding islands,
We strive to:
- Reduce waste by recycling as much as possible including paper, cardboard, glass, textiles, cans, and plastic bottles.
- Reduce waste by composting suitable organic materials such as vegetable peelings, flower cuttings and rotten fruit.
- Conserve energy by using low energy light bulbs, and switching off lights and appliances not in use, use a lower temperature setting on washing machine, ensuring dishwashers are full, using energy efficient appliances, turning down our water heater thermostat, line dry clothing when possible, have adequate loft and cavity wall insulation.
- Use water more efficiently by using reduced flush toilets, showers rather than baths, limited use of hose pipes and use of water butts.
- Purchase environmentally friendly products including local produce, organic and fair trade products, items with recycled content, products which do not harm the environment.
- Care for the natural environment by planting native trees, avoiding unnecessary use of chemical cleaners, pesticides and weed killers, responsible disposal of hazardous household wastes.
- Embrace renewable technology by considering use of renewable technologies such as solar water heating, wind power, biomass, ground source and air source heating systems.
- Actively reduce our carbon footprint by signing up to a renewable energy supplier, use public transport where practical, run an energy efficient vehicle and drive it smoothly to increase fuel efficiency.
We support the work of The Mull and Iona Community Trust’s MESS Project, and encourage others to do the same. We invite you to find out more about local producers www.mullandionafood.co.uk